Property tycoon faked kidnapping

An Irish property developer who said he was kidnapped and held captive for eight months made up the extraordinary story, it has been claimed.

Kevin McGeever reportedly came clean after being arrested on suspicion of wasting police time on Thursday.

The former tycoon from Mayo - who was emaciated and disorientated when found wandering a roadside barefoot - said he made up the elaborate tale to escape financial pressure.

Police sources said the 68-year-old caved in under questioning, the Sunday Independent reported.

The newspaper reported the cash-strapped Mr McGeever admitted to staging his kidnapping and subsequent release to keep investors off his back.

His plan went awry when the couple who found him wandering the border between County Cavan and County Leitrim on January 29 insisted on bringing him to a police station, which led to a full-scale investigation.

Mr McGeever, who had lost about 32 kilograms, claimed he had been abducted at gunpoint from his gated mansion in May last year.

The businessman had the word ''thief'' inked on his forehead when he was found. His beard had grown out and his fingernails had not been cut for months.

He has since admitted the eight-month ruse was an attempt to get breathing space from people hounding him for cash.

He also hoped they would leave him alone following his emergence from the alleged captivity for fear they might become suspects in the ''abduction'', the Sunday Independent reported.

Mr McGeever said he lived in self-imposed exile in a remote part of the west of Ireland.

He was interviewed by police for 24 hours but released without charge on Friday night.

Press Association

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